For Immediate Release
Date: April 14, 2025
Contact: Adam Sayre, City of Fitchburg
Phone: 608-270-4209
Email: adam.sayre@fitchburgwi.gov
Fitchburg Common Council Approves Municipal Vehicle Registration Fee
FITCHBURG, WI – On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the Fitchburg Common Council voted to approve a municipal vehicle registration fee following a 5-4 vote. Mayor Julia Arata-Fratta cast the vote to break the tie. This fee will require all vehicles registered in the City of Fitchburg to pay $40 in addition to the State renewal and Dane County registration fees.
The new fee is projected to generate approximately $1,000,000 in revenue. These funds will be allocated for transportation-related purposes, though the City will determine specific uses during the 2026 budget process. Potential uses may allow the reallocation of existing transportation funding to address other critical needs.
Mayor Arata-Fratta also acknowledged that implementing this additional fee is difficult. "I understand the burden any new fee places on our residents," she stated, "However, ensuring the financial sustainability of our city is critical. This fee is necessary to continue providing the high-quality services our residents expect and deserve while responsibly managing our city’s financial future.” Arata Fratta also said, "This fee will help secure funding for the ongoing operational and maintenance costs of our new police facility, support future Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and enhance paratransit services to ensure seniors have reliable access to meals and essential services. It will also allow for increased service on the 65 bus route, which provides vital access to the UW campus and hospitals."
The Mayor also clarified that no vehicle registration fee dollars will be allocated for the construction of non-transportation-related initiatives. "A teen center will not be built until the City is able to secure long-term operational funding, which could take years," she added.
The approval of the vehicle registration fee allows the City to continue meeting transportation improvement needs. The City remains steadfast in its commitment to serving the community and ensuring that essential services remain available to residents.
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